A pre-finals pep talk from All-Ireland hurling hero Joe Canning has helped Galway Golf Club return to today’s AIG Barton Shield decider at Carton House, where they will bid to avenge last year’s defeat to Warrenpoint.

The GUI’s annual AIG Cups and Shields All-Ireland finals look primed to get off to a blistering start this morning when Munster champions Tralee meet Connacht kingpins Galway in the first Barton Shield semi-final.

Lisselan, the picturesque little nine-hole club just outside of Clonakilty, savoured a little piece of national success in 2010 when they reached the final of the Irish Mixed Foursomes Championship at Castlerock.